While the people suffered, Aquino grew in humbug and hubris

President B. S. Aquino 3rd’s final State of the Nation Address this afternoon should contain a summing up of his first five years, and a preview of his last year in office. With his penchant for praising himself, and blaming others for his failings and mistakes, he is not likely to abandon old habits when he appears before the joint session of the two houses of Congress.

He could decide to be a little more charming than usual, but he cannot be niggardly in his self-praise. After all, he is “an Aquino,” while his audience is merely “Juan de la Cruz,” (not even a “Romualdez”), to borrow the words of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas at the height of the Yolanda/Haiyan humanitarian crisis.